Service/Industrial
Solar Panels/LEED Certification – as it relates to sustainability/LEED
With crude oil prices wavering wildly in a jittery market, the trickle-down effect is that Americans are suddenly nervous wrecks about everything energy-related. Both oil and coal-based electrical energy is falling out of favor in many circles. The “drill baby, drill” people are quickly trying to pass legislation that would tap into domestic resources for home-grown oil, while environmentalists are madly pointing people to alternative sources of energy. One such discussion centers on the use of solar panels for home energy. Solar panels, which are made of arrays of photovoltaic cells, use the renewable energy from the sun to provide a clean and environmentally sound means of collecting solar energy.
In recent months, chains including Wal-Mart Stores, Kohl’s, Safeway and Whole Foods Market have installed solar panels on roofs of their stores to generate electricity on a large scale. Over the long run, assuming Congress renews a favorable tax provision and more states offer incentives, the chains promise a solar construction program that would ultimately put panels atop almost every big store in the country. The trend is accelerating as the chains seize a chance to bolster their environmental credentials by cutting back on their use of electricity from coal.
The costs for solar energy are still under debate, however, coal generation costs about 6 cents for a kilowatt hour, which is enough electricity to run a hair dryer for an hour. Natural gas generation costs about 9 cents a kilowatt hour, said Reese Tisdale, a senior analyst with the consulting firm Emerging Energy Research. In comparison, “best case” for power from solar panels is about 25 to 30 cents a kilowatt hour, he said. But retailers believe that they can achieve economies of scale. With coal and electricity prices rising, they are also betting that solar power will become more competitive, especially if new policies addressing global warming limit the emissions from coal plants. “Solar has become part of the kit that we think about when we open a store,” said Sharon Im-Lee, REI’s energy manager.
In the spirit of keeping solar power competitive, incentive and rebate programs will need to continue in order to demonstrate the value of the technology and their applications. As production techniques improve and more distribution points are established the cost of the systems will continue to decrease. Coupled with increasing energy costs, the systems will become competitive and sustainable. Saemisch & Di Bella Architects continue to research and learn emerging technologies with the goal of promoting a
whole-building approach to sustainable design by recognizing performance in water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
Light Rail to Mesa
As you may have heard, the Light Rail that has connected downtown Tempe to downtown Phoenix will now be extended into Mesa. Much of the funding for the project has been apportioned by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), with the design phase having begun in September 2010 and completion estimated for 2016.
As details of the project continue to emerge, citizens both for and against the project have voiced strong opinions. The “anti-rail” people voice concern about taxpayers who may have to pick up too much of the cost of the project. Many would prefer that the funds be applied elsewhere, especially when cuts to other governmentally-funded organizations like Medicaid and Medicare have been so dire in recent months.
On the other hand, businesses appear generally excited about the Light Rail. Because it connects to Sky Harbor International Airport, they reason, it will help tourists get around more easily, and it will attract business conventions to the area. According to a recent METRA survey, rail riders have significantly higher incomes than bus-riders ($76K vs. $14K) and thus bring far greater revenue –and class, according to some–into an area.
With the Light Rail coming to Mesa, businesses hope there will be opportunity for renewed investment and development in the downtown area, which is ideally suited for mixed-use type of projects (i.e., a combination of retail, office and residential). This is a trend modeled elsewhere in the valley and other metro areas throughout the country.
Obviously there will be growing pains during the construction process–including the added messiness to an already congested downtown area, but the end result, some say, will far overshadow the irritations. The hope is that the area will realize higher property values, a more dynamic downtown and therefore higher visibility for businesses, and increased development opportunities.
On that note, we at Saemisch & Di Bella are intrigued by the Light Rail opportunity and hope to lend our rich portfolio of experience to all who may be interested in this or any other type of urban architectural project.
What Is Not Just A Sport But A Survival Skill?
If you said swimming, you would be correct! The unusual thing about swimming is that it is a sport that is great for everyone and for all ages. This time of year when we are especially thinking about changing our habits to include better eating choices and to put exercise into our daily routine, swimming may be the sport that is right for you.
Besides being great exercise, swimming also offers other benefits. If you are hoping to improve your flexibility, or if you have asthma, perhaps you are overweight, maybe you have suffered other athletic injuries, or you want to increase your cardiovascular conditioning or lower blood pressure; swimming is a way to repair many of these conditions. In addition, swimming does not stress your joints; and your muscle strength and endurance can also be made better.
Arizona is a state with incredible year-round weather filled mostly with sunny days. The opportunity to swim presents itself to many citizens either with the use of a private or public pool. Unfortunately because of the number of pools in the state, the number of accidental drownings averages nearly 90 per year. The largest number of these deaths occurs in children 1 thru 4 years of age. For this reason, water safety needs to be a priority for the people of this state.
Skyline Aquatic Center in the city of Mesa is a beautiful example of a facility that we had the opportunity to design which will provide a place where both recreational and competitive swimming will be available; and lessons to learn to swim for all ages will also be obtainable. Remember swimming is a form of exercise to get you in shape or to help you stay in shape. Make this year the year for everyone in your family to learn the basic skills of swimming. To help you do this, check out this innovative project coming soon in Mesa. You will be inspired to become involved.
Housing Is a Basic Need
Did you know that in 1900, the life expectancy was 47 and that 1 in 25 survived to age 60? Contrast this to 2011 where the first baby boomers will turn 65, and they will represent 20% of the population; and those 60+ are expected to continue to grow faster than any other age group. 1 in 5 will report having a chronic disability, and social security will continue to be the largest share of these aging adults’ source of income. Because of these statistics, now is the time for communities to begin preparing to create and develop new infrastructures to house and care for this increasing aging population.
Affordable and accessible housing for people with disabilities and older adults must be a priority. There is a need for consumers, non-profits, architects and developers, and government agencies to form community partnerships. Their goals must be to create more accessible housing using “universal designs” and “visitability” concepts – meaning they must address the needs of the people. Instead of segregating the elderly and those with disabilities, master-planned communities must be formulated.
Marc Center is a private not-for-profit organization providing educational, therapeutic, rehabilitation and social services to children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities and behavioral health challenges. Currently Saemisch + DiBella Architects is partnering with Marc Center to develop The Village at Oasis Park in Mesa, Arizona. This project is addressing the social issues involved in building a community for the disabled elderly, and will not only accomplish the creation of an appropriate and beautiful environment, but will also encompass all the support services within its community. Creating the proper design prior to construction is critical. The cost of adapting housing prior to construction is even less expensive than remodeling existing homes. Plus the units can be “adaptable” to the individual needs of the residents.
The focus on disabilities began in the 1950’s when many veterans were coming home from World War II and the Korean War. These returning soldiers faced both structural and attitudinal barriers. The government agreed that housing was a basic need for all individuals. They have been long concerned with helping to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing; but now it is time to enhance this standard to provide housing that appeals to a wide range of people who may benefit from improved forward-thinking ideas and environmental designs.